JEE Main is not only a test of concepts. It is an intense three-hour test of management, discipline, and composure. Many students know the syllabus, understand
the questions, and still fail to convert it into marks. The reason is simple - poor paper management. A student who has already simulated these three hours beforehand treats the real exam as nothing more than a repeat performance. The smartest way to approach JEE Main is to split the paper into three clear phases. First phase: Easy and familiar questions (first 40–45 minutes) Begin where confidence builds. Attempt questions that you understand at first glance. The goal is simple — maximum accuracy with maximum speed. Do not get stuck on tough questions at this stage. Mark them and move ahead. This phase sets your momentum for the entire paper. Second phase: Moderate questions (next 60–70 minutes) Now attempt questions that require 3–4 steps. Here balance matters the most. Rushing creates mistakes and overthinking wastes time. Solve with steady pace and clean steps. This is the phase where disciplined thinking directly converts into marks. Third phase: Tough and time-taking questions (remaining time) Now return to the questions you left earlier. If the approach is not visible within two to three minutes, do not force it. In a paper with negative marking, a wrong attempt is more damaging than leaving a question. Smart skipping is also a strategy. Follow strict CBT discipline Fill CBT after every 10–12 questions Do not answer without double-checking How to practise this today Take a full three-hour simulation test. Keep a clock in front of you. Create real exam conditions — no phone, no breaks, no casual sitting. After the test, do not rush to marks; instead, analyse only one thing: where did your time actually go? On easy questions, or on unnecessary stuck points? Success in JEE finally depends on how well you control those three hours. Paper simulation means experiencing the exam before the exam. Students who practice this enter the hall calm, prepared, and predictable in performance. A composed mind, phased strategy, and precise time management — that is the true 3-hour master formula.
(Inputs from Nitin Vijay, Educator and Founder, Motion Education, Kota)
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